No more plastic guitars...

[Minvaren]

"Power Gig" announced

Due out on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the fall, the game uses a specialized six-string controller across its two main modes. The first mode is said to be "traditional beat-matching" like other rhythm games, while the other uses actual power chords and requires "specific finger placement on the strings."

Track list unannounced so far, but the power chords should indicate plenty of 70s metal...  Kind of surprised that there isn't full chord/note support, but maybe it can be patched in later.

I imagine if this is a success, RB/GH will come out with their own versions soon...

[rrazcueta]

I was under the impression that Harmonix's 5th rhythm game was going to be real instruments.

GH1 > 2 > **evolve** RB 1 > 2 > ...

[01101010]

Really? Why not just invest that money into, ya know, a real guitar and some lessons...

[IainC]

Really? Why not just invest that money into, ya know, a real guitar and some lessons...

For the same reason that people buy PES instead of a football. You're missing the point.

[Mosesandstick]

I've always wondered whether someone would develop a music game that could teach people to play an instrument. Can't wait to see how this turns out.

[Musashi]

Seems like this defeats the purpose of fake guitar playing.  In other words, I thought that the attraction was that any retard could pick it up and play.  Six strings and an actual fretboard is a big evolution from 'lol four buttans.'  I don't think this is going go over so well.  It's more guitar-like, and probably ahead of it's time.  But I can't picture the xbox crowd jumping into this.

Also, as a guitar player, if you can learn how to play the guitar on this chunky piece of shit with mile-high action, you can play anything.  Your hands will be strong.  You really should just buy a real guitar.  You know.  Because the real one has been known upon occasion to get a brother laid, and this thing is actually a birth control device.  I don't think that's missing the point at all.  People can own PES's and footballs at the same time, you know - especially xbox people.  That's definitely not the point.

[NiX]

You're still missing the point. People don't want to learn guitar and it sounds like this one gives you the option of "lol four buttons" without holding a piece of shit Mattel guitar.

[Ratman_tf]

Really? Why not just invest that money into, ya know, a real guitar and some lessons...

Or go the fuck outside and get some exercise. 

[schild]

Really? Why not just invest that money into, ya know, a real guitar and some lessons...

Or go the fuck outside and get some exercise. 

[Ratman_tf]

Really? Why not just invest that money into, ya know, a real guitar and some lessons...

Or go the fuck outside and get some exercise. 

We could always be doing something more productive. Splitting hairs over pretend guitars seems awfully pretentious to me.

In other words /green.

[Musashi]

You're still missing the point. People don't want to learn guitar and it sounds like this one gives you the option of "lol four buttons" without holding a piece of shit Mattel guitar.

It didn't look like that was the case as far as a four button thing.  It had like a bunch of colors on each fret with some silly symbols.  It looked like it was intended to be some sort of easier notation, but not four button easy.  Even if it has you sliding up and down the fretboard with finger barre, there's still probably at least 20 frets, which is a lot more than four. 

Also, I know people don't want to learn guitar.  That's pretty much what I'm saying.  That doesn't mean you wouldn't be better off doing it.  Mostly because of the getting laid thing.

[Lantyssa]

Not everyone is concerned about whether their entertainment options mean they get laid or not.

[Rasix]

Not everyone is concerned about whether their entertainment options mean they get laid or not.

Internet badass status: revoked.

[Kageru]

That seems impressively retarded. It's going to be a very expensive controller and a poor guitar on the assumption that people playing guitar hero at parties were actually just frustrated music-students. I'd have thought that those people who actually got the urge to try a real guitar, and went far enough to spend money, would have already bought a real one. Meanwhile the people who through the power of imagination visualised a simplistic rhythm game as being equivalent to rock stardom in your living room are probably going to find the new controller just makes them more aware of how much they really suck at anything approaching a real guitar.

[Azazel]

I love music, but when it comes to playing real instruments, I'm functionally retarded. I probably could learn to play real bass or guitar, but I'm not interested in doing so. I'm also in my 30's with an attractive wife, so playing some shitty guitar doesn't do anything for my sex appeal or chances of getting laid.

I'm all for the EZ-mode plastic guitars we have already, not this "real guitar" shit.

[Sky]

I just feel bad for employees at music stores around the country. A few months with this game and a whole slew of new 'guitarists' walking in and playing a marshall too loud, poorly.

It's nice to give kids the option to play some more advanced stuff, hard to see that as a bad thing. This might get guitars in a lot of homes that might not get them otherwise. I guess it depends on the price point. First Act are the masters of pushing out cheap guitars (and I've heard some aren't horrid), but are people interested in paying twice as much for a controller that's not for Rock Band or Guitar Hero?

And even married with an attractive wife, playing guitar /will/ do things for your sex appeal and chances of getting laid.

[Zaljerem]

As a gamer I like the concept of GH / RB .... as a musician it's pretty laughable.

On the plus side, it's introducing people (especially younger people) to music they may never have heard otherwise.

I also have to admit I've learned quite a bit from the drum trainer about rudiments, etc. This should carry over fairly well
to the MIDI drum kit that should be arriving shortly ...

That seems impressively retarded. It's going to be a very expensive controller and a poor guitar on the assumption that people playing guitar hero at parties were actually just frustrated music-students. I'd have thought that those people who actually got the urge to try a real guitar, and went far enough to spend money, would have already bought a real one. Meanwhile the people who through the power of imagination visualised a simplistic rhythm game as being equivalent to rock stardom in your living room are probably going to find the new controller just makes them more aware of how much they really suck at anything approaching a real guitar.

Yeah, this.

[Samwise]

They have a giant booth at GDC, but the game is nowhere to be seen.  Based on this and years of experience, I surmise that it sucks really hard.

[Musashi]

I should qualify my stance, because I think that if you really want to learn to play guitar, then an game-like interface like this would be fucking awesome.  I'm talking about a realistic guitar which teaches you real notes, etc (hopefully with a more realistic action).  I think back to when I was learning, and if there would have been Achievement Unlocked, I definitely would have practiced more.  However I think the audience for such a thing would still be very small given how much a more realistic peripheral would cost.

What we really need is a game that recognizes the sound input of a real guitar.  Then we'll be talking.  Although that probably won't sell for shit, either.

[Goreschach]

I should qualify my stance, because I think that if you really want to learn to play guitar, then an game-like interface like this would be fucking awesome.  I'm talking about a realistic guitar which teaches you real notes, etc (hopefully with a more realistic action).  I think back to when I was learning, and if there would have been Achievement Unlocked, I definitely would have practiced more.  However I think the audience for such a thing would still be very small given how much a more realistic peripheral would cost.

What we really need is a game that recognizes the sound input of a real guitar.  Then we'll be talking.  Although that probably won't sell for shit, either.

I've wondered why we haven't seen a game that uses a guitar's output through a little POD style digital converter to control a ddr type game where you play against a scrolling guitar tab or staff.

[Grimwell]

Because the real one has been known upon occasion to get a brother laid, and this thing is actually a birth control device.

Actually, being good at video games has been known to get a brother laid, it's just not as common/easy as being half-assed on a guitar and willing to play in front of people. Times, they are a changing.

I saw something like this at CES. It didn't have strings all the way up the fretboard, but it had strings you picked and the fret board was sensitive to touch up and down the path. It was a bit of a hybrid between what is linked here and the normal plastic crap. It worked great and I could see how it would be a bridging unit to people playing for real. I was quite interested in it in the "I could be seeing the next big hit music-game-thing." until they said it wasn't going to be compatible with GH or RB... kiss of death there.

I've always wondered whether someone would develop a music game that could teach people to play an instrument.

Done. We have it in our house and it does indeed teach the kids songs that they can then turn to our upright piano and play. It's a little more expensive than the GH/RB world, and not a guitar, but it's for reals and bona fide.

[Sky]

I think back to when I was learning, and if there would have been Achievement Unlocked

There are more achievements to unlock by playing guitar than even something like TF2.

[01101010]

I should qualify my stance, because I think that if you really want to learn to play guitar, then an game-like interface like this would be fucking awesome.  I'm talking about a realistic guitar which teaches you real notes, etc (hopefully with a more realistic action).  I think back to when I was learning, and if there would have been Achievement Unlocked, I definitely would have practiced more.  However I think the audience for such a thing would still be very small given how much a more realistic peripheral would cost.

What we really need is a game that recognizes the sound input of a real guitar.  Then we'll be talking.  Although that probably won't sell for shit, either.

Not a bad venture to be honest. I am sure sound recognition could be programmed for a guitar and you could sell it for less than it would cost for some set of music lessons, even just the basics - add in the dingratz and achievement structure and you very well could sell these. Not saying you'd get the next Vaughn or Hooker out of it, but you never know. Hell you could even bundle with an entry level acoustic or electric guitar.

[Ratman_tf]

I think back to when I was learning, and if there would have been Achievement Unlocked

There are more achievements to unlock by playing guitar than even something like TF2.

Real guitars are for old people!

[Musashi]

I think back to when I was learning, and if there would have been Achievement Unlocked

There are more achievements to unlock by playing guitar than even something like TF2.

By that I meant ding/grats Achievements.  I don't remember being consoled by a meaningless reminder that this was a step in the right direction when we died on our first open mike night.  Unless you count the chicks we met later on who wanted to touch my leather pants.  Don't think they were even at the show.  Didn't care.

Because the real one has been known upon occasion to get a brother laid, and this thing is actually a birth control device.

Actually, being good at video games has been known to get a brother laid, it's just not as common/easy as being half-assed on a guitar and willing to play in front of people. Times, they are a changing.

Dude.  Totally not changing in a comparable measure.  The out of your league booty ratio is still ten times higher with the guitar player.  I won't deny it isn't like it was when I was in high school.  But still.

[Sky]

By that I meant ding/grats Achievements.  I don't remember being consoled by a meaningless reminder that this was a step in the right direction when we died on our first open mike night. 

Rasputin: In a single life, get shot, burned, bludgeoned, and receive explosive damage.

[Musashi]

I think he did that all in one day.

[Sky]

It's a TF2 achievement (one of the few I've achieved  ). Just pointing out that they're not all dingratz positive. And the Rasputin achievement sounds about like a bombed show.

[Samwise]

You're missing the point, Sky.  It's not about what you accomplished, it's about the fanfare and the badge.  Having a measurable goal and something that tells you that you've definitely achieved it is a very powerful motivator for most people.

[Azazel]

You know, if I actually wanted to learn to play guitar, this sort of thing would be great. But the simple fact is, I don't care about playing guitar for reals, I just want to pick up a plastic instrument and pretend like I'm in the Beatles or the Chili Peppers or whatever.

So, if I were 17 again, I'd be all over it. Except if I were 17 again, I could never afford this stuff...